November 21
Read Romans 8 -- 10
Through the convicting and illuminating power of the Holy Spirit, we are led to see how awful sin is (see John 16:8-11). Only when a person recognizes that he is a sinner, unable to save himself and living in rebellion against his Creator God, will there be a godly sorrow that leads to repentance and salvation (II Corinthians 7:10).
When we accept Christ as our personal Savior, we receive the Spiritual Nature of God. This enables us to be filled with and led by the Spirit of God. Christians will sincerely desire that the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk (live) not after the flesh (in worldly ways), but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh. . . . The carnal (fleshly, earthly) mind is enmity against (hostile to) God: for it is not subject to the Law of God (Romans 8:4-5,7). Consequently, if you live after the flesh, you shall die: but if you through the Spirit do mortify (put an end to) the deeds of the body, you shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (8:13-14).
Therefore, sin must not only be confessed, but also forsaken: If you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made to salvation (10:9-10).
True repentance results in a change of our heart attitude which will manifest itself in our becoming involved in a local church when physically able. Many people join a church, attend worship services, give generously, or even attempt to keep the Ten Commandments, as the rich young ruler did (Matthew 19:16-22; Luke 18:18-23). Such people assume that good works are sufficient for entrance into Heaven. But, they only express a form of godliness, denying the power thereof (II Timothy 3:5). God is concerned first with what we are, then with what we do for Him.
The likeness of Christ will be seen in us to the degree that we yield to the indwelling Holy Spirit and allow Him to reign as Lord of our lives, controlling our thoughts, words, and deeds. God has said: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. . . . But if you be led of the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (shameless indecency), idolatry, witchcraft (sorcery), hatred, variance (argumentative), emulations (jealousy), wrath, strife, seditions (divisions), heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no Law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts (Galatians 5:16,18-24).
Word Studies: 9:15 compassion means lovingkindness; 10:21 gainsaying means faultfinding.
Cross References:
For Romans 8:36: See Psa. 44:22. Rom. 9:7: See Gen. 21:12. Rom. 9:9: See Gen. 18:10. Rom. 9:12: See Gen. 25:23. Rom. 9:13: See Mal. 1:2-3. Rom. 9:15: See Ex. 33:19. Rom. 9:17: See Ex. 9:16. Rom. 9:25: See Hos. 2:23. Rom. 9:26: See Hos. 1:10. Rom. 9:27-28: See Isa. 10:22-23. Rom. 9:29: See Isa. 1:9. Rom. 9:33: See Isa. 28:16. Rom. 10:5: See Lev. 18:5. Rom. 10:6-7: See Deut. 30:12-13. Rom. 10:8: See Deut. 30:14. Rom. 10:11: See Isa. 28:16. Rom. 10:13: See Joel 2:32. Rom. 10:15: See Isa. 52:7. Rom. 10:16: See Isa. 53:1. Rom. 10:18: See Psa. 19:4. Rom. 10:19: See Deut. 32:21. Rom. 10:20: See Isa. 65:1. Rom. 10:21: See Isa. 65:2.
Prayer Needs:
Government Officials: Sen. Richard Durbin (IL) and Rep. Chaka Fattah (PA) · BPM Staff: George Kopchak · Pray for World Missionary Press · Pray for Bible Pathway International Radio Broadcast in honor of Grace Cantey · Country: Guinea (8 million) on the Atlantic coast of western Africa · Major languages: French and tribal languages · Freedom for nationals, but strict limitations on missionaries · 83% Muslim; 12% tribal religions; 4% Roman Catholic; .6% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Lift up your prayers to the Lord as incense before God (Revelation 8:3-4).
Memory Verse for the Week: II Corinthians 12:10